Rebuilding
Ground Zero
The moral obligation in rebuilding Ground Zero is not just how best
to remember those who perished in this tragedy, but how to make
their memory the inspiration for a better future. The issues at
stake in planning the site have a local dimension as well as global
repercussions; therefore the design should address the specific
conditions of our city from a perspective that could also transcend
its limits.
Ground Zero should emerge from this tragedy as the first truly Global
Center, a place where people can gather to celebrate cultural diversity
in peaceful and productive coexistence. Finding the proper balance
between the two main objectives of the project-Remembrance and Redevelopment-depends
on the way in which investment in the public infrastructure contributes
to the Renewal of Lower Manhattan.
An inspired plan will rededicate our City to the ideals of diversity,
democracy, and optimism that have made New York the World's Center
for the exchange not only of goods and services, but also of creativity
and culture.
Towers of Culture
The World Cultural Center, The World Trade Center is reborn as
the World Cultural Center. Built above and around the footprints
of the World Trade Center towers, but without touching them, two
open latticework structures create a "site" for development
of the Towers of Culture. Within these soaring structures, distinctive
buildings designed by different architects are phased to complete
a program of innovative cultural facilities: the Memorial (from
the footprints of the original towers to the top of the highest
platform in the world), the 9/11 Interpretative Museum, a Performing
Arts Center, an International Conference Center, an open Amphitheater,
viewing platforms and public facilities for education Arts and
Sciences reconstruct the skyline of the City with the icons of
the Public Realm. The Towers emerge from large glass reflecting
pools that bring natural light to the retail and transit concourse.
Two large-scale turbines harvest wind to power the elevators of
the Center that will serve 8.5 million visitors a year. The Transportation
Center occupies the memorable space between the towers. Retail
is located at both the concourse and street levels to better serve
the community. Eight independent mid-rise office buildings and
a hotel on the perimeter of the site fulfill the total program
according to market demand.
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